About the House: Most significant part of a home

Friday

Dec 27, 2013 at 2:00 PM

A few days ago, I watched a few minutes of an “entertainment news show.”

By Rob Kinsey

A few days ago, I watched a few minutes of an “entertainment news show.” The idea of that type of show is generally oxymoronic. This time, however, the subject matter was of utmost importance. The topic being discussed was suicides by reality show contestants. A statement made by an addictions counselor from a celebrity addiction recovery program gave me pause. He stated there are more deaths from suicide each year than from automobile accidents. The thought of this is enough to bring waves of sadness to me, and most people I know. It’s an unsettling subject, to say the least.I went online, checked a few sources and verified his statement. The difference appeared to be about 20 percent fewer deaths from accidents. I find this to be alarming and saddening. I have known a few people who chose to end their lives and like so many others I do not understand.We have thousands of laws in place regarding driving, and the machines we drive, intended to keep us safe. We have building codes requiring safe procedures to construct the homes we live in. We have safety laws requiring standards be kept to ensure our safety in the workplace. There are laws requiring us to keep our tempers to ourselves and not harm others.Rules apply to food growing, harvesting and preparation. Medicines are strictly regulated to keep us safe. Rules cover everything from paints to ladders, nurses to doctors, and from truck drivers to mechanics. Parents and teachers are required to meet minimum standards regarding childcare and safety.All these are vitally important, to be sure. These things should be given the attention they receive, and occasionally even more. But what about attention given to mental health? Where does this delicate subject fall besides on deaf ears and between the cracks in the floor?I’ve written several dozen articles this year about paying attention to things in, on, and About the House but I haven’t said a much about the most important thing there is: the people who live in them.We have a new year fast approaching. Let us all take some extra time and tend to the most important things we have. Let us all spend more time this coming year tending to each others well being About the House.

Rob Kinsey has been a licensed builder for 30 years and is a home inspector with nearly 20 years of experience.

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